Flying machine



Aug. 19 1924. 1,505,091

E. w. DWIGHT FLYING MACHINE Original Filed J'uly 16 1915 2 Sheets-Sheet.` 2

WITNl-:ss: f INVENTOR;` www www.

Patented Aug. 19, 1924.

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EDMUND WATERMAN DWIGHT, 0F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

FLYING MACHINE.

Reled for abandoned application Serial No. 40,164, filed July 16, 1915.

Serial No. 642,039i.

To all fro/tom t may conce/m.'

Be it known that I, EDMUND VATERMAN DWIGHT, a citizen of the United States, re.n siding at Philadelphia, in the county of lPhiladelphia and Statel of Pennsylvania, have invented a certain new and useful Improvenient in Flying Machines, vvhereof the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This is a. refile of my application Serial Liddell, filed July 16, 1915, Which vvas al,- loued August 16, 1916, but forfeited.

loi/ly invention. is applicable to air craft of the screw propeller1 type, and relates particularly to the construction and arrangement of the propeller mechanism.

ln accordance with my invention, the axis of a propeller Wheel may be continuously circularly shifted, in the plane occupied by said axis, Without changing the direction of said axis, and While said Wheel' is continuously rotated; and a plurality of such wheels may be thus simultaneously actuated upon a single rotary carrier.

lily invention includes the various novel features of construction and arrangement hereinafter more definitely specified.

ln the drawings; Fig. I is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of an air craft including a convenient embodiment of my inion, arranged for levitation.

ll is a fragmentary vertical sectional view, similar to Fig. l, but showing a modilied form of my invention.

Fig. lll. is a fragmentary vertical sectional view, similar to Fig. I but showing a modified form of my invention arranged for lateral progression. n

'T' s. lll and V shou7 rotary carriers for difL .rent numbers of propellers.

Referring to the form of my invention -zhoivn in lligs. l and IV; the air craft body l adopted to levitate and has the horizontal shaft journal 2 in Which the main .shaft is mounted to rotate. The counten el ift frame 5 is fixed on saidv main shaft and has a circular series of horizontal counter-shaft journals 6 concentric with said main shaft. The tubular counter-shafts or sleeves 8 are respectively mounted to rotate in said counter-shaft journals 6, and each has bearing bracket 9'fixed thereon at one end thereof with a countershaft bearino` 10 ric therewith and a vertical shaft l1 I extending transversely to the This application filed May 26,

axis of said sleeve. The vertical propeller shafts 12 are respectively mounted in said vertical bearings, and the propeller Wheels 13, each including a series of inclined blades, are respectively fixed upon the outer ends of said propeller shafts. All of said Wheels have their blades pitched in the same general direction with respect to their axes; so that When rotated in the same circumferential direction they Will press the air in the same axial direction. The counter-shafts 15 are respectively mounted to rotate in said counter-shaft bearings and extend through said counter-shaft sleeves. The bevel gears 16 and 17 are respectively fixed upon said propeller shafts and counter-shafts and operatively connect each propeller shaft with the counter-shaft mounted in thc same bearing therewith. The sprocket gears 19 are respectively fixed upon said countershaft sleeves at the ends thereof respectively opposite to said bearings 9. Sprocket gears 21, ofthe same size as said sprocket gears 19, are respectively fixed and stationary upon said body 1 concentric with said main shaft 2 and in alinement with said sleeve gears 19. The sprocket chains 23 respectively connect said sleeve gears 19 with said stationary gears 21. The sprocket gears 24: are respectively fixed upon the ends of said counter shafts 15 opposite to said bevel gears. The sprocket gears 26, of larger diameter than said sprocket gears 24. are respectively fixed upon said body 1 in alinenient With said counter-shaft gears 24s. The sprocket chains 27 respectively connect said counter-shaft gears 24; with said larger stationary gears 26. Said main shaft is arranged to be rotated by t-he motor 28 and the construct-ion and arrangement above described are such that rotation of said main shaft causes planetary progression of said countersshafts and the gears connected there with, While said propeller shafts are maintained constantly vertical and said propeller wheels are continuously rotated in a common direction.

` Although l find it convenient to operative lv connect each of the propeller VWheels with the main shaft which causes their planetary progression as above described: my invention may be eml'iodied in a construction and arrangement of iriropellingzj mechanism wherein the propeller Wheels are vrespectiwlv actuated by electric motors which areiir dependent of each other; the axes of said Wheels being maintained constantly in the same direction during their planetary progression, by means similar to that above described. I have shown such an arrangement in Fig. II wherein 3l indicates an air craft body adapted to levitate and having the horizontal shaft journal 3Q in Which the main shaft 33 is mounted to rotate. The counter-shaft frame 35 is fixed on said main shaft and has a circular series of horizontal counter-shaft journals 36 concentric with said main shaft. The counter-shaft sleeves 38 are respectively mounted to rotate in said counter-shaft journals 36, and each has a bearing bracket 39 fixed thereon at one end thereof With a vertical shaft bearing 4l extending transversely to the axis of said sleeve. The vertical propeller shafts 42 are respectively mounted in said vertical bearings 4l, and the propeller Wheels 43, each including a series of inclined blades, are respectively fixed upon the outer ends of said propeller shafts, Which are respectively connected with independent electric motors 46. The sprocket gears 49 are respectively fixed upon `said counter-shaft sleeves 38 at the end thereof respectively opposite to said bearings 39. Sprocket gears 51, of the same size as said sprocket gears 49, are respectively fixed and stationary upon said body 31 concentric with said main shaft 32 and in alinement with said sleeve gears 49. The sprocket chains 53 rcspectivelyconnect said sleeve gears 49 with said stationary gears 5l. Said main shaft 32 is arranged to be rotated by the electric motor 58 which is operatively connected with the electric generator 60 by the conductors 6l and 62. Said motors 46 are also respectively independently connected with said generator by the conductors 63 and 64, and suitable switch mechanism 65 is provided for independently controlling the several motor circuits.

v Although, forconvenience of illustration, I have indicated said electric conductors 6l, 62, 63 and 64 as extending aside from the mechanical elements of the structure, it is to be" understood that they are extended vthrough the main shaft and the rotary carrier frame which supports the propeller shaft bearings.

Although I have referred to the main shaft and propeller shafts as respectively horizontal and vertical, because they are thus arranged for levitation of the air craft bodies or hulls l and 3l above described; it is to be understood that either of the propeller mechanisms shown in Figs. I and H may be applied to such a body to eect lateral progression thereof. For instance, In the form of my invention shown in Fig. III, the air craft body 68 has the vertical saaft journal 69 in which the main shaft 71 -cordance with my invention.

is mounted to rotate, the other details of construction and arrangement being such as above described With reference to Fig. I.

It is to be understood that either a single propeller shaft or any desired number of such shafts may be constructed and arranged for simultaneous operation in ac- For instance, in Figs. IV and V, l have respectively indicated groups of four and three such shafts, mounted upon respective common rotary carriers so as to be circularly shifted, in a plane occupied by the axes of said shafts, by a single main shaft concentric with each carrier, and without changing the direction of the propeller shafts.

Although l find it convenient to employ sprocket chains to operatively connect. the propeller shaft beariiigs with the stationary gears to thus maintain the propelled shafts in a constant direction; it is to be understood that other connecting means may be employed. For instance, as shown in Fig. V, the stationary g `ar T3 is operatively connected with gears T4 on the propeller bear ings 75, by intermediate idler gears T6.

Moreover, it is to be understood that l' may provide a single body l, or 68 with a plurality of main shafts 3 or Tl, in parallel relation, and with the respective appurtenant mechanism such as above described, and rotate said main shafts in opposite directions, so as to stabilize such bodies against tendency to roll upon their longi tudinal axes.

Furthermore, although lf have described my improvement in propeller mechanism with reference to its adaptation to a flying machine; it is to be understood that l do not desire to limit myself to such use thereof, for instance, such mechanism may be used in a marine vessel for progression thereof, and With particular advantage in a submarine vessel, to raise and lower the latter in accordance with the direction of rotation of the respective propeller wheels. controllable by any suitable means.

Therefore, l do not desire to limit myself to the precise details of constrm-tion and ar rangement herein set. forth, as it is obvious that various modifications may be made therein Without departing from the essential features of my invention, as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

l. In a flying machine, the combination Witlra body adapted to levitate and havin I a horizontal shaft journal: of a main shaft mounted to rotate in said journal; a countershaft frame fixed on said main shaft and having a circular series of lnn'izontal come ter-shaft journals concentric With said main shaft; counter-shaft sleeves respectively mounted to rotate in Said eounter-shaft jour.'- nals and each having a bearing bracket fixed titl Sii

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thereon at one end thereof with a countershaft bearing concentric therewith and a vertical shaft bearing extending transversely thereto; vertical propeller shafts respectively mounted in said vertical bearings; ropeller wheels, each including a series o inclined blades, respectively fixed upon the outer ends of said vertical shafts; all of said wheels having their blades pitched in the same general direction with respect to their axes; counter-shafts respectively mounted to rotate in said counter-shaft bearings and extending through said countershaft sleeves; beveled gears respectively fixed upon said propeller shafts and countershafts and operatively connecting each propeller shaft with the counter-shaft mounted in the same bearing therewith; sprocket gears respectively fixed upon said countershaft sleeves at the ends thereof respectively opposite to said bearings; sprocket gears7 of the same size7 respectively fixed and stationary upon said body concentric with said main shaft and in alinement with said sleeve gears; sprocket chains respectively connecting said sleeve gears with said stationary gears; sprocket gears respectively fixed upon the ends of said counter-shafts opposite to said beveled gears; sprocket gears; of larger diameter;respectively fixed upon said body in alinement with said counter-shaft gears; sprocket chains respectively connecting said counter-shaft gears with said larger stationary gears; and motor means arranged to rotate said main shaft; whereby rotation of said main shaft. causes planetary progression of said counter-shafts and the gears connected therewith; while said propeller shafts are maintained constantly vertical and said propeller wheels are continuously rotated in a common direction.

2. ln a flying machine; the combination with a body adapted to levitate and having a horizontal shaft journal; of a main shaft mounted to rotate in said journal; a counter-shaft frame fixed on said main shaft and having a series of horizontal countershaft journals; counter-shaft sleeves respectively mounted to rotate in said countershaft journals and each having a bearing braclret fixed thereon at one end thereof with a counter-shaft bearing concentric therewith and a vertical shaft bearing extending transversely thereto; `verticalpropeller shafts respectively mounted in said -vertical bearings; propeller wheels, each including a series of inclined blades, respectively fixed upon the `outer ends of said vertical shafts; all of said wheels having their blades pitched in the same general direction with respect to their axes; countershafts respectively mounted to rotate in said counter-shaft bearings; beveled gears respectively fixed upon said propeller shafts and counter-shafts and operatively connecting each propeller shaft with the countershaft mounted in the same bearing therewith sprocket gears respectively fixed upon said counter-shaft sleeves at the ends thereof respectively opposite to said bearings; sprocket` gears, of the same size, respectively fixed and stationary upon said body concentric with said main shaft and in alinement with said sleeve gears; sprocket chains vrespectively connecting said sleeve gears with said stationary gears; sprocket gears respectively fixed upon the ends of said counter-shafts opposite to said beveled gears; sprocket gears of larger diameter, respectively fixed upon said body in alinement with said counter-shaft gears; sprocket chains respectively connecting said counter-shaft gears with said larger stationary gears; and motor means arranged to rotate said main shaft; whereby rotation of said main shaft causes planetary progression of said counter-shafts and the gearsl connected therewith; while said propeller shafts are maintained constantly vertical and saidpropeller wheels are continuously rotated.

In a flying machine; the combination with a body adapted to levitate and having a shaft journal; of a main shaft mounted to rotate in said journal; a counter-shaft frame fixed on said main shaft and having a series of counter-shaft journals concentric with said main shaft; counter-shaft sleeves respectively mounted to rotate in said counter-shaft journals and each having a bearing bracket fixed thereon at one end thereof with a counter-shaft bearing concentric therewith and a propeller shaft bearing extending transversely thereto; propeller shafts respectively mounted in said bearings; propeller wheels, respectively fixed upon the outer ends of said propeller shafts; counter-shafts respectively mounted to rotate in said counter-shaft bearings; means operatively connecting each propeller shaft with the counter-shaft mounted in the same bearing therewith; gears respectively fixed upon said countershaft sleeves at the ends thereof respectively opposite to said bearings; gears respectively fixed and stationary upon said body concentric with said main shaft and in alinement with said sleeve gears; means operatively connecting said sleeve gears with said stationary gears; gears respectively fixed upon said counter-shafts; gears, of larger diameter', respectively fixed upon said body in alinement with said counter-shaft gears; means operatively connecting said counter-shaftV gears with said larger stationary gears; and motor means arranged to rotate said main shaft; whereby rotation of said main shaft causes planetary progression of said counter-shafts and the gears connected-therewith, while said propeller shafts are maintainedrconstantly in the same direction and said propellerwheels are continuously' rotated.

4. Iny a flyingvmachine, the combination With a body adapted to levitate and having a shaft journal; of a main shaft mounted to 4rotate in said journal; a counter-shaft frame fixed on said main shaft and having a counter-shaft journal parallel with said main shaft; a counter-shaft sleeve mounted to rotate in said countereshaft journal and having` a bearing bracket lixed thereon at y one end thereof With aeounter-shaft bearing concentric therewith and a propeller shaft bearing extending transversely thereto; a propeller shaft mounted in said bearing; a propeller Wheel including a series of inclined blades, fixed upon the outer end of said propeller shaft; counter-shaft mounth ed to rotate lin said counter-shaft bearing and extending through saidv counter-shaft. sleeve; beveled gears respectively fixed upon said propeller shaft and counter-shaft and operatively connecting said propeller shaft with ,said counter-shaft; a sprocket gear fixed upon said counter-shaft sleeve at the end thereof opposite to said bearing; a sprocket gear, of the same size, fixed and stationary upon said body concentric with said main shaft and in alinement with said sleeve gear; a sprocket chain connecting said sleeve gearvvrvith said stationary gear; a sprocket gear fixed upon the end of said counter-shaft opposite to said beveled gear; a sprocket gear, of larger diameter, fixed upon said body in alinement with said counter-shaft gear; a sprocket chain con necting said -counter-shaft gear with said larger stationary gear; and motor means arranged to rotate said main shaft; vwhereby rotation of said main shaft causes planetary progression of said counter-shaft and the gear connected therewith, While said propeller shaft is maintained constantly in the same direction and saidpropeller Wheel is continuously rotated.

5. In a flying machine, the combination with a body adapted to levitate and having a horizontal shaft journal; of a main shaft mountedto rotatein said journal; a countershaft frame fixed on said main shaft and having a -circular series of horizontal counter-shaft journals concentric with said main shaft; counter-shaft sleeves respee tively mounted to rotate in said countershaft journals and each having a bearing bracket fixed thereon at one end thereof with a vertical shaft bearing extending transversely i thereto; vertical propeller shafts respectively mounted in said vertical bearings; propeller Wheels, each including a lseries of inclined blades, respectively fixed upon the outer ends of said vertical shafts; means arranged 'to rotate said propeller shafts; sprocket Agears respectively fixed upon said counter-shaft sleeves at the ends thereof respectively opposite to said bearings; sprocket gears, of the same size, respectively fixed and stationary upon said body concentric with said main shaft and in ulinenient with said sleeve gears; sprocket ehainsrespectively connecting said sleeve gears with said stationary gears; and means arranged to rotate said main shaft; whereby rotation of said main shaft causes planetary progression of said counter-shaft sleeves, While said propeller shafts are mainY` tained constantly vertical and said propeller 'wheels are continuously rotated.

6. ln a liying machine, the combination with a body adapted to levitate and having horizontal shaft journal; ol a main shalt mounted to rotate in said journal; a countershaft frame fixed on said main shaft and having a circular series of horizontal counter-shaft journals concentric with said main shaft; counter-shaft sleeves respectively mounted to rotate in said counter-shaft journals and each having a bearing bracket fixed thereon at one end thereof with a verA tical shaftliearingl extending transversely thereto; vertical propeller shafts respec tively mounted in said vertical bearings; propeller wheels, each including n seriesof inclined blades, respectively fixed upon the outer ends of said vertical shafts; means arranged to rotate said propeller shafts; gears respectively fixed upon said countershaft sleeves at the ends thereof respectively opposite to .said bearings; gears respectively fixed and stationary upon said body concelltric With said main shaft and in alinement with said sleeve gears; means operatively connecting said sleeve gears with said sta-- tionary gears; and motor means arranged to rotate said main shaft.

7. In a flying machine, the combination with a body adapted to levitate and having a shaft journal; of a main shaft mounted to rotate in ysaid journal; a countershaft frame fixed on said main shaft and having a counter-shaft journal parallel with said main shaft; a counter-shaft element mounted to rotate in said counter-shaft journal and having a bearing bracket fixed thereon at one end thereof with a propeller shaft bearing extending transversely thereto; n propeller shaft mounted in said bearing; a

propeller Wheel fixed upon the outer end of said propeller shaft; means arranged to rotatelsaid propeller shaft; a gear fixed upon said counter-shaft element at the end thereof opposite to said bearing; a gear stat-ionary upon said body concentric with said. main shaft and in alinement with said sleeve gear; means operatively connecting said sleeve gear with said stationary gear; and motor means arranged to rotate said main shaft.

8,. The combination with a support havlli) llt)

infr a shaft journal; of a main shaft mounted to rotate in said ournal; a counter-shaft frame fixed on said main shaft and having a journal parallel with said main shaft, a bearing bracket having a shaft element extending in said frame journal and a propeller shaft bearing,` extending transversely thereto; a propeller shaft mounted in said bearing; a propeller wheel carried by said propeller shaft; a gearxed upon said bearing shaft; a gear stationary upon said support concentric with said main shafts means operatively connecting said gears and motor means arranged to rotate said main shaft; whereby, said bearing` may be circularly shifted by said main shaft Without changH ing the direction of the axis of said propeller shaft.

9. The combination with a plurality of propeller shafts each carrying a propeller Wheel; of a single rotary carrier having bearings for the respective shafts with axes extending transversely to the axis of said carrier; and comiecting` means, whereby said carrier may be rotated While said propeller shafts are rotated and Without changing the direction of the axes of said propeller shafts.

l0.- The combination with a main rotary shaft; of a rotary shaft extending transversely to said main shaft; and means connecting said shafts, whereby said transverse shafts may be circularly shifted, by rotation of said main shaft, in the plane occupied by said transverse .shaft axis, Without changing the direction of said axis.

t ln testimony whereof, l have hereunto signed by name at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

EDMUND TATERMAN Dl/VIGHT. Witnesses:

JACOB DANIEL ETZLER,

HARRY VVILLIs HARTLEY. 

